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Spurs 100, Suns 95
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs made six 3-point baskets in the fourth quarter and beat the Phoenix Suns 100-95 Friday night.
San Antonio (22-15) used that barrage of jump shots to erase a 10-point deficit.
Guard Danny Green led the Spurs with 20 points. He made four 3-point baskets, including one in the fourth quarter. Guard Patty Mills made three 3-pointers in the quarter, two during the final 1:40. He scored 15.
Forward Matt Bonner made two 3-pointers in the quarter.
Guard Cory Joseph scored nine points in the quarter but missed three of four free throws during the final 1:15, allowing Phoenix (22-17) a chance to catch the Spurs.
Phoenix helped the Spurs with two technical fouls in the fourth quarter.
Forward P.J. Tucker and guard Eric Bledsoe led Phoenix with 19 points apiece. Tucker scored 15 in the third quarter.
The Suns, running relentlessly, beat the Spurs 29-3 in fast-break points.
Phoenix outscored San Antonio 26-10 in the third period to take a 10-point lead, limiting the Spurs to their most anemic production in a quarter this season.
Forward Kawhi Leonard was missing from the San Antonio lineup for the 12th straight game with ligament damage in his right hand. Guard Manu Ginobili missed the second half with back spasms.
San Antonio guard Tony Parker played only 13 minutes — all in the first half — during a loss to Detroit on Tuesday in his first game back after missing five straight with a strained left hamstring.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is usually cautious in matters regarding injuries.
“I kept him at 13 last game because I was paranoid, good or bad,” Popovich said.
Parker worked 22 minutes against Phoenix. After missing his first three shots, he made three in a row, helping the Spurs take a 13-point lead late in the first half.
Then Parker missed a driving layup and committed two turnovers during the final minute. The Suns capitalized on two of the three gifts, with Bledsoe making a layup and a 3-pointer, slicing the deficit to six at the half.
Phoenix finished the first half with a 7-0 push, started the third quarter with a 17-3 move, and led 59-49 after three quarters.
Parker finished with seven points and five turnovers.
NOTES: Phoenix acquired F Brandon Wright from Boston on Friday in exchange for a draft pick. The 6-foot-10 Wright played in eight games for the Celtics after joining them through the trade with Dallas that sent G Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks. The pick is protected through the first 12 selections in 2015 and 2016 and then becomes two second-rounders. …San Antonio F Kawhi Leonard sat out against Phoenix on Friday night with ligament damage in his right hand — an injury that has forced him to miss the last 12 games. … Spurs backup C Aron Baynes missed the game with neck spasms. … Suns F P.J. Tucker was a reluctant shooter in college at Texas. He attempted just four 3-point shots in three seasons before leaving school in 2006. Over time, he has become willing and able. Tucker was hitting 39.8 percent from long range before Friday’s game.
